Assessment of Knowledge of Adolescents with Thalassemia Major Regarding Iron Chelating Therapy

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disease worldwide that is often treated with life-long blood transfusions. Typically every24 weeks, this leads to progressive iron overload. Iron chelation therapy is prescribed to manage the transfusional iron overload and attempt to prevent progressive organ failure (heart, endocrine, liver). This study aims to assess the knowledge of adolescents with thalassemia major regarding iron chelating therapy. A descriptive design is used in this study that carried out at Hereditary Blood Disease Center in Al- Nasiriya city, a convenience non-probability sample of (50) patients of adolescence age (12-18) years old who met the criteria of selection, who attend to hereditary blood disease center, were recruited to participate in this study. Data are collected through the use of a questionnaire tool by direct interview a technique which is used as a means of data collection. The results reveals that the adolescents knowledge is ranging from poor knowledge 48 %, fair 46 % and good knowledge 6 %. Conclusions of the study indicate that patients need for systematic education to improve knowledge about thalassemia and iron chelating therapy.